Red carpet for Xi as Trump seeks to steady US-China ties

On September 24, 2026, US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, marking the beginning of a grand state visit aimed at easing tensions between the world's superpowers. The event was characterized by pageantry, as Trump and his wife Melania greeted Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at the airport, both wearing formal attire and standing side by side as a military band played the national anthems.

Trump acknowledged the disparity in how each leader had extended a greeting, but declared the meeting to be a "great little meeting" that Beijing appreciated.

The summit, which is the third between the two leaders since Trump took office, is expected to focus on key issues such as Iran, artificial intelligence, and trade. Although analysts predict that any substantial breakthroughs are unlikely, the visit aims to maintain a fragile peace between the two superpower rivals. Iran was confirmed as a topic of discussion, despite Trump previously downplaying reports of Chinese involvement in supplying Tehran with intelligence.

The trade truce between the US and China has been extended for an additional two months, with hopes for further economic cooperation seemingly diminished by the absence of Chinese CEOs at the delegation.

Artificial intelligence is set to be a major focus of the summit, with concerns about its potential dangers to humanity. China and the US are engaged in a race for supremacy in AI development, viewing it as crucial for the future century. Talks on Sunday between US Treasury Scott Bessent and his Chinese counterpart He Lifeng included discussions on establishing a communication channel for AI concerns. However, the overall objective remains to reduce tensions between Beijing and Washington, despite their ongoing rivalry.